Jayalalithaa plans chemical castration, death penalty for rapists

TN CM said fast track mahila courts would be set up in each district to investigate sexual assault cases in the state and efforts would be taken to bring such cases under the purview of stringent Goondas Act.

Death as maximum punishment and chemical castration for rapists are envisaged in a 13-point action plan suggested on Tuesday by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to check crimes against women as police in Jaipur decided to train girls in martial art.

Expressing grief over the death of the 23-year-old Delhi gang-rape victim, Jayalalithaa said "the Centre will be requested to amend the laws to ensure the maximum punishment of death penalty and chemical castration for those responsible for rapes".

"The offence should also be made non-bailable," she said.

The chief minister said fast track mahila courts would be set up in each district to investigate sexual assault cases in the state and efforts would be taken to bring such cases under the purview of stringent Goondas Act.

"The Goondas Act will be amended", Jayalalithaa said, adding incidents of sexual assault will be treated as a grave crime and top police officials would probe them, she said.

Orders have also been issued to put in place close-circuit television (CCTV) sets in all public buildings to identify those who trouble women and police personnel in plainclothes would be deployed at market places and women's colleges to ensure safety of women, she said.

Setting up of women's helpline, engaging women lawyers and hearing of sexual assault cases on a daily basis to ensure speedy justice were some of the others measures of Jayalalithaa's action plan.

In Jaipur, police decided to train girls and women in self-defence techniques in a special drive.

In a bid to develop a sense of security among girls, Jaipur police have decided to conduct a special self-defence training programme for women and girls.

Under the initiative 'Apni Suraksha Apne Hath', camps will be organised at various colleges from January 7 to January 25 in which participating women and girls will be trained in basic self-defence techniques.